I have attempted 2 tripels with this yeast in the past few months and both have resulted in some serious funky aromas/flavors. Both tripels cosisted solely of pale malt and honey with very light hopping and kept at a temperature of about 67 degrees during fermentation and beyond with an OG of about 1.075 - 1.080. 1500ml starters were made in both cases, from different white labs tubes.
I want to love this yeast. It is the most vigorous strain I have used and has required a blowoff tube on both occasions. It smells absolutely perfect in the starter and at the beginning of fermentation (24-36 hours once it begins): Belgian spiciness and slight bananas. Exactly what I have been looking for when it comes to tripels. Unfortunately this soon gives way to a strange funkiness aroma-wise. It smells somewhat sour and a bit unpleasant. I dumped the first batch after 2 months of aging and now 1 month into the second attempt, it smells roughly the same but not as bad.
The first time I thought this was a fluke but now I'm not so sure. I have brewed 4 batches with different yeasts in between these two that resulted in no off flavors and turned out fine. I suppose it could be contamination but it would seem to be a strange coincidence if this were the case.
What are your experiences with WLP550? Any similar stories? Any ideas on how to combat this? I really want to like this yeast especially because I have it slanted!
EDIT: as i said in my last post, this beer turned out great.
I want to love this yeast. It is the most vigorous strain I have used and has required a blowoff tube on both occasions. It smells absolutely perfect in the starter and at the beginning of fermentation (24-36 hours once it begins): Belgian spiciness and slight bananas. Exactly what I have been looking for when it comes to tripels. Unfortunately this soon gives way to a strange funkiness aroma-wise. It smells somewhat sour and a bit unpleasant. I dumped the first batch after 2 months of aging and now 1 month into the second attempt, it smells roughly the same but not as bad.
The first time I thought this was a fluke but now I'm not so sure. I have brewed 4 batches with different yeasts in between these two that resulted in no off flavors and turned out fine. I suppose it could be contamination but it would seem to be a strange coincidence if this were the case.
What are your experiences with WLP550? Any similar stories? Any ideas on how to combat this? I really want to like this yeast especially because I have it slanted!
EDIT: as i said in my last post, this beer turned out great.